Facemask

[Kevinlc]

Just wanted to tailgate off of Arkofficial's spearing thread and Ilref's offensive facemask suggestion.

Back in the days when I played, (when dinos roamed the earth) there was nothing that upset me more than coming up to tackle a running back and have him stiff arm me right on the facemask. There was one back we faced a few times that was particularly adept at this skill. He didn't grab it, just put his hand on there while I wildly flailed my arms trying to tackle him. I, of course, complained to the officials, but never got the call. They said it was OK as long as he didn't grab it. Not sure what the rules were back then to know if they were right or wrong.

I would like to hear some comments on this tactic. Is it legal if he doesn't grab it? Is there an amount of time the hand can be on the facemask before you would call the foul? I know what the rule says, but I'm curious about how this called around the country.

[busman]

If I don't see fingers grasped around the bars, I'm not calling anything. Since he has the ball, the defender has the right to grab his arm and tackle him, so I don't see an advantage.  Now, if he delivers a blow to the head with something other than a straight arm, either closed or opened handed, then I've got something else entirely.

[JohnB]

If I don't see fingers grasped around the bars, I'm not calling anything. Since he has the ball, the defender has the right to grab his arm and tackle him, so I don't see an advantage.  Now, if he delivers a blow to the head with something other than a straight arm, either closed or opened handed, then I've got something else entirely.

Gotta agree with the busman on this one! No grab..No call!!

[The Roamin' Umpire]

I flagged this at my very first scrimmage - it looked pretty bad to me. I was quickly corrected by my elders - the runner is allowed to stiff-arm to the face, as long as he doesn't grab. I still don't much like it, but that's the rule.

[BryanG]

No grab, No Call.

[IL Ref]

Offensive FM is spot foul w/repeat of the down (if ball is not past line-to-gain after enforcement).
Def. FM is added to the run, correct? We've had disagreements on which spot to enforce DFM and the rulesbook isn't clear. I say, sc*** the Defense, end of run.

[Kevinlc]

As for enforcement, all "normal" rules apply to a live ball facemask foul. Enforce from the basic spot, unless it is a foul by the offense behind the basic spot (all but one). The basic spot could be the end of the run or the previous spot if during a loose ball play. Facemask doesn't have any "special" enforcement provisions.
I'd still like to nail those backs with something for stiff arming to the face just to get revenge for the perceived injustices I had being on the receiving end of those things. 
But, I do agree, no grab, no foul. But if I see the slightest curl in those fingers.....

[cbrunnjo]

Do you repeat the down for a defensive face mask foul?

[SanDiegoStryker]

Do you repeat the down for a defensive face mask foul?

Yes. You always replay the down unless it's loss of down or auto first down penalty.

[TampaSteve]

Gotta agree with the busman on this one! No grab..No call!!

Ditto II.

[Bob M.]

Yes. You always replay the down unless it's loss of down or auto first down penalty.

REPLY: ...or if enforcement results in a new series being awarded.